November 5th First Wednesday Luncheon: "A Colony, an Estate, and a Founding Father: The Founding of American Cities"
Nov
5
12:00 PM12:00

November 5th First Wednesday Luncheon: "A Colony, an Estate, and a Founding Father: The Founding of American Cities"

For the Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series in November, guests are welcome to a luncheon at Echo Lake Country Club on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, beginning with check-in at 11:45am (usually ends @2:15). Michaela Zoquier presents "A Colony, an Estate, and a Founding Father: The Founding of American Cities".  Just as the nation’s Founding Fathers had great plans for a new country, discover how early colonists had great plans for a new colony between the Staten Island Sound and the Delaware River (New Jersey)! Join Liberty Hall and learn how and why colonists chose this land in particular and explore how William Livingston, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, used that same logic in planning his own estate at Liberty Hall!

Michaela Zoquier is the Education & Outreach Coordinator at Liberty Hall Museum in Union, NJ. She received her Bachelor's in History from Kean University where she first discovered Liberty Hall and the Museum Education field. She recently finished a Graduate Certificate in Genocide and Holocaust Studies through Seton Hill University. Her main focus on the day-to-day is running Liberty Hall's robust Education program. She finds joy in teaching history to students, adults, or really,  anyone that will listen.

 

Those wishing to attend the luncheon may make a reservation by email to westfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com; or, by calling 908-654-1794, before Thursday, October 30, 2025 . Please advise if there are special dietary needs. The luncheon fee of $40 (WHS members) or $45 (non-members) includes a three-course meal, coffee/tea, and gratuity. The luncheon fee should be paid in advance (check payable to Westfield Historical Society) by mailing to Westfield Historical Society, 314 Mountain Ave., Westfield, NJ  07090; by Venmo to @Westfield-HistoricalSociety; or, online at https://www.westfieldhistoricalsociety.org/registration.

     Registration and payments should be received by Thursday prior to the luncheon. Attendees should check the club’s dress code and guest policies at: echolakecc.org/guest-info

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Westfield Hall of Fame 2025
Oct
10
7:00 PM19:00

Westfield Hall of Fame 2025

The Westfield Historical Society Hall of Fame honors past and present residents of Westfield who have brought distinction to the community.

The Westfield Hall of Fame is a Committee of The Westfield Historical Society which has named seven inductees for the 2025 Hall of Fame Class. inductees include: William McLaren Bristol, Christopher Lundy Campbell, Charlotte Nichols Montgomery, Keith Hertell, Carole Shaffer-Koros, Darielle Walsh and David Wroe. The Hall of Fame Committee has a long list of qualified candidates submitted by the public for its consideration in future inductions. 

The 11 members of the 2025 Hall of Fame selection committee are planning the induction ceremony for Friday, October 10, 2025. Historical Society members and the public at large are encouraged to submit profiles of people believed to be strong candidates for the Westfield Hall of Fame to the Westfield Historical Society, 314 Mountain Ave., Westfield, NJ 07090.

This is an Invite ONLY event.

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First Wednesday Lunch Meg Wastie presents “Why Do We Say That?”.
Oct
1
11:30 AM11:30

First Wednesday Lunch Meg Wastie presents “Why Do We Say That?”.

For the Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series in October, guests are welcome to a luncheon at Echo Lake Country Club on Wednesday October 1, 2025, beginning with check-in at 11:45am (usually ends @2:15). Meg Wastie presents “Why Do We Say That?”.

"Bury the hatchet." "Skeleton in the closet." "Break a leg." These are just a few of the common idioms we use in everyday American English communication. We readily understand them, but how did they come to be part of our regular discourse? Discover the meanings and background stories of some of the rather curious expressions we use in American English.

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Second Wednesday Lunch "Bright Wood Park: Before It Became a Park, It Was a Neighborhood." with Robert Lombard
Sep
10
11:30 AM11:30

Second Wednesday Lunch "Bright Wood Park: Before It Became a Park, It Was a Neighborhood." with Robert Lombard

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the September luncheon will be held on September 10th, 2025. Ever wonder why there are random stairs in the woods? Join Friends of Brightwood Park’s very own historian, Rob Lombard to hear about the history of Brightwood Park! PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE of September 10, 2025

"Before It Became a Park, It Was A Neighborhood"The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon “Visiting the President's Graves" with TJ Fallon
Jun
4
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon “Visiting the President's Graves" with TJ Fallon

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the June luncheon will be held on June 4th, 2025, Presidential grave visitor, TJ Fallon will present a program entitled: “Visiting the President’s Graves.” The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon “A W.A.S.P. takes Wing: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII" with Carol Simon Levin
May
7
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon “A W.A.S.P. takes Wing: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII" with Carol Simon Levin

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the May luncheon will be held on May 7th, 2025, historic reenactor, Carol Simon Levin, will present a program entitled: “A W.A.S.P. Takes Wing: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII.” The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: “Andrew Carnegie: From Steel to the Building of Libraries" with Rick Feingold
Apr
2
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: “Andrew Carnegie: From Steel to the Building of Libraries" with Rick Feingold

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the April luncheon will be held on April 2nd, 2025. Popular lecturer Rick Feingold will present a program entitled: "Andrew Carnegie: From Steel to the Building of Libraries." The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: “The Maritime History of the Passaic & Hackensack Rivers & Newark Bay.” with Kevin K. Olsen
Mar
5
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: “The Maritime History of the Passaic & Hackensack Rivers & Newark Bay.” with Kevin K. Olsen

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the March luncheon will be held on March 5, 2025. Historian and Author, Kevin Olsen, will present a program entitled: “The Maritime History of the Passaic & Hackensack Rivers & Newark Bay.” The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Ferraro’s Restaurant located at 14 Elm St. in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: “Choosing to Conquer: The Women Who Won the Vote" with Nancy B. Kennedy
Feb
5
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: “Choosing to Conquer: The Women Who Won the Vote" with Nancy B. Kennedy

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the February luncheon will be held on February 5, 2025. Author, Nancy B. Kennedy, will present a program entitled: “Choosing to Conquer: The Women Who Won the Vote.” The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Ferraro’s Restaurant located at 14 Elm St. in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "What America Sounds Like: 150 Years of American Music" with Melissa Ziobro
Jan
8
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "What America Sounds Like: 150 Years of American Music" with Melissa Ziobro

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the January luncheon will be held on January 8, 2025. History Educator and Curator, Melissa Ziobro, will present her program on What America Sounds Like: 250 Years of American Music. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: “A History of Data…How We Got Here” with Brian Mueller
Dec
4
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: “A History of Data…How We Got Here” with Brian Mueller

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the December luncheon will be held on December 4, 2024. Westfield’s own, Brian Mueller, will present on “A History of Data … How We Got Here.” The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: “Freedomland, USA - the American History Amusement Park” with Michael Virgintino
Nov
6
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: “Freedomland, USA - the American History Amusement Park” with Michael Virgintino

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the November luncheon will be held on November 6, 2024. Author, Michael Virgintino, will present on his book “Freedomland, USA - the American History Amusement Park”. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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AppleFest 2024
Oct
19
12:00 PM12:00

AppleFest 2024

  • The Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Westfield Historical Society’s AppleFest committee has been working hard to prepare the 16th annual AppleFest, which will be held on Saturday, October 19th, from noon-4:00 PM on the grounds of the Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center. A rain date of Sunday, October 20th is planned.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route in New Jersey" with Julie Diddell
Oct
2
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route in New Jersey" with Julie Diddell

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the October luncheon will be held on October 2, 2024. Westfield’s own, Julie Diddell, Chair of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary War Route of New Jersey will present a program entitled “The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route in New Jersey” The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "The History of Inventing in New Jersey" with Linda Barth
Sep
4
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "The History of Inventing in New Jersey" with Linda Barth

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the September luncheon will be held on September 4, 2024. Linda Barth, Author and Executive Director of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey will present a program entitled “The History of Inventing in New Jersey: From Thomas Edison to the Ice Cream Cone”. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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Westfield Historical Society to Hold Patriotic Readings from the Porch of the Reeve House on July 4th – all are invited
Jul
4
10:30 AM10:30

Westfield Historical Society to Hold Patriotic Readings from the Porch of the Reeve House on July 4th – all are invited

Kick off Independence Day with patriotic readings. At 10:30 am on Monday, July 4th, the Westfield Historical Society will hold 20-30 minutes of patriotic readings broadcast from the porch of the Reeve House at 314 Mountain Avenue.
The public is invited as are scouts and patriotic organizations. The readings are:
     The Declaration of Independence (recording by J. F. Kennedy)
     Original Bill of Rights
     Lincoln’s second inaugural address
Plans are to have a flag ceremony and singing of the National Anthem to begin the program.

Since 1968, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Westfield Historical Society has worked to preserve, interpret, and encourage interest in history, Westfield, and its residents through educational efforts and community outreach programs. For further information on the Westfield Historical Society and its activities, or to volunteer, call (908)654-1794 or browse through this website , like on facebook and follow in Instagram.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "A Lesson in Civics" with Daniel Farabaugh
Jun
5
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "A Lesson in Civics" with Daniel Farabaugh

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the June luncheon will be held on June 4, 2024. Westfield High School History Teacher, Daniel Farabaugh, will present on the topic of Civics (specific topic TBA). The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "Wicked Woodbridge and Crazy Carteret" with Gordon Bond
May
1
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "Wicked Woodbridge and Crazy Carteret" with Gordon Bond

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the May luncheon will be held on May 1, 2024. Author Gordon Bond will present on his book entitled "Wicked Woodbridge and Crazy Carteret". The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "RCA Labs and 6 Inventions That Changed The World" with Alexander B. Magoun
Apr
3
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "RCA Labs and 6 Inventions That Changed The World" with Alexander B. Magoun

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the April luncheon will be held on April 3rd, 2024. Alexander B. Magoun will speak on "RCA Labs and 6 Inventions That Changed The World". The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club, 515 Springfield Ave., Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: CELEBRATING WOMEN…BEFORE…DURING…AFTER…THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WHEN WOMEN RULED WOMEN WHO “RULED” with Joel Farkas
Mar
6
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: CELEBRATING WOMEN…BEFORE…DURING…AFTER…THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WHEN WOMEN RULED WOMEN WHO “RULED” with Joel Farkas

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the March luncheon will be held on March 6, 2024. Joel Farkas will present a program entitled “CELEBRATING WOMEN…BEFORE…DURING…AFTER…THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club located at 515 Springfield Ave in Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: African American History in Westfield
Feb
7
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: African American History in Westfield

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the February luncheon will be held on February 7, 2024. Representatives from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield will be present to discuss the history of African Americans in Westfield. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Ferraro’s Restaurant, 14 Elm St., Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: Hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey with Barbara Burton
Jan
3
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: Hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey with Barbara Burton

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the January luncheon will be held on January 3rd, 2024. Barbara Burton will talk about hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Ferraro’s Restaurant, 14 Elm St., Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "Historic Journey Through the Iberian Peninsula - From Portugal to Andalucía" with Lisa Wendel
Dec
6
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "Historic Journey Through the Iberian Peninsula - From Portugal to Andalucía" with Lisa Wendel

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the December luncheon will be held on December 6, 2023. Lisa Wendel will present an “Historic Journey Through the Iberian Peninsula - From Portugal to Andalucía.” The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club, 515 Springfield Ave., Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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First Wednesday Luncheon: "Jersey Stories You May Not Have Heard", with Fred Rossi
Nov
1
11:45 AM11:45

First Wednesday Luncheon: "Jersey Stories You May Not Have Heard", with Fred Rossi

As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series, the November luncheon will be held on November 1, 2023. Journalist, author and speaker, Fred T. Rossi, will present on “New Jersey Stories You May Not Have Heard”. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at Echo Lake Country Club, 515 Springfield Ave., Westfield. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

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